Articles, comment and meditations on power, oppression and political mindfulness

Friday, 16 January 2009

Glasgow for Gaza: demo outside the BBC

Around 150 caring people stood defiantly outside the BBC HQ in Glasgow last night and proclaimed loudly:

“Occupation is a crime, why not say it on prime time?”

A colourful array of banners and flags accompanied a more sombre presentation of white-clothed baby figures lying in a long row along the BBC steps, a stark reminder of the murdered infants of Gaza.

Predictably, no BBC reporter ventured out of this shiny new glass building to do that most basic thing: report what we were doing. Instead, some stood looking out, while many others, on finishing their workday, walked briskly by, eyes averted. Someone beside me, a recent employee, said that there was a virtual atmosphere of intimidation when it came to staff voicing their opinions on such matters.

And the chant went on:

"Killing children is a crime, why not say it on prime time?”

Professor David Miller (Strathclyde University) and Nicola Fisher (Co-chair of Glasgow Stop the War Coalition) were permitted to meet with Ian Small, the BBCs Director of Public Affairs, to air the movement's views and hand him a 9 point letter of complaint.

David reported back to the gathering that Mr Small had been attentive and apparently in agreement with some of the points. He has agreed to forward the letter to Helen Boaden, Mark Byford and other senior BBC directors. A detailed reply has also been promised.

As David noted, no one is expecting any radical change of policy. But, of course, that's never the point of such demonstrations. It's all part of a cumulative effort to highlight media complicity in Israel's war crimes.

Later, Peter Murray, Vice President of the BBC's NUJ section, told the gathering how BBC journalists and Palestinians had stood in common support of Alan Johnston during his captivity. Now, he said, an entire population is detained and the BBC turns the other way.

And the chant went on:

"Ethnic cleansing is a crime, why not say it on prime time?”Other speakers included ex-Glasgow councillor Alex Mosson, who made a spirited appeal for continued action. My own modest contribution included an appeal to flood the BBC with complaints – and, of course, to read Media Lens.

And the chant went on:

"Genocide is a crime, why not say it on prime time?”

A last interesting snippet to emerge. After the 10,000 strong demo in Edinburgh on Saturday, the BBC called Stop the War to ask if they could give them some photos of the event, as they didn't have anyone there to get a picture. Says it all, really.

Lots of people claim sympathy for the Palestinian cause but don't actually do anything practical to make their views known, so we need to educate and encourage them in making representation.

People need to realise that human rights issues are not a game that they can stand on the sidelines and cheer along thinking it is heplping the cause, they have to become actively involved.

I email everyone I know with links to petitions (there are some below) and advice and example letters on what to write to their MP etc....especially the MEP's calling for the suspension of the EU-Israel Trade Agreement.

We need to take a leaf out of the zionist lobby book and organise and network more. We have truth on our side and can win the media battle with collective effort.

Good to hear from you. Yes, people have to be acting in practical ways here. On-the-sideline sympathy for the Palestinians doesn't resolve their suffering. We need people signing petitions, writing to the media and their political representatives, disseminating alternative reading of the issues in their workplaces and elsewhere, being on demos and BOYCOTTING Israeli goods.

John, this is from the Co-op's website regarding their ethical trade policy;"We are dedicated to support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights"Here is the address for anyone who wants to point out that by selling Israeli goods they are actually supporting human rights abuses instead. Remember its freepost, so you don't need a stamp!